February 2010

Dear Friends:

There are numerous personal challenges that members of our community face and overcome on a daily basis. Of these, there are many of which we are often unaware. In some instances, these challenges call upon our friends and acquaintances to exhibit great compassion and significant courage, albeit with an anonymity that denies them the support that they need and deserve from all of us.

I have chosen this month to acknowledge most specifically those who take care of loved ones who are no long able to care for themselves. In some instances, loved ones who are cared for are homebound. In other instances, these loved ones need a range of assistance. While, in some instances, these are situations in which adults are caring for children, there are numerous circumstances in which adults must become the primary caregivers, or arrange for and monitor the caregiving, to other adults.

In many of these situations, spouses are caring for spouses. In others, adult children find themselves caring for their aging parents. Sometimes, aging siblings, relatives, friends, or roommates find themselves as the last line of care and concern. In some circumstances, the majority of the caregiving is extended personally. In others, for practical purposes, it is arranged for and monitored with great care and sensitivity.

There is perhaps no Mitzvah greater in the world than that of sharing one’s health and vitality, and/or one’s resources, with a loved one who isn’t so blessed. However, generally speaking, within the Jewish community or beyond, there is minimal if any opportunity to recognize and acknowledge those who are caregivers for other adults. This month, at Congregation Ner Tamid, we will aim to redress this situation in a meaningful manner.

On Friday evening, February 19th, Sheri Samotin, a long-time personal friend and the founder of LifeBridge Solutions, based in Naples, Florida, will join us as our Guest Speaker. Sheri will facilitate a dialogue for those who attend Services that evening around the issue of adult caregiving to fellow adults, focusing particularly upon some of the challenges faced by “baby boomers “ who care, in some manner, for their parents.

Upon the occasion of this sacred dialogue, and in honor of all caregivers and care-providers for adults in our community, I will share with all present at Services on February 19th a new prayer that I have composed specifically on behalf of caregivers and providers for other adults, concluding with a special blessing for them as well.

Whether you are a caregiver or provider to another adult or simply someone who understands and appreciates the value and precious need for this sort of generosity, I encourage you to please join us on Friday evening, February 19th, to be a part of a very special dialogue and a unique opportunity to acknowledge people who perform some of the most important acts of generosity for loved ones in our community.

I look forward to seeing you on this special Friday evening.

B'Shalom - With Blessings of Peace and Wholeness,

Rabbi Isaac Jeret
Spiritual Leader